Farm-to-Table Internship:

1 Summer Season Internship: May-August…filled for 2017

Suncrest Gardens Farm Internship Program provides the unique opportunity to learn by working on a sustainable farm that raises vegetables in accordance with organic standards, creates wood-fired pizzas in a licensed kitchen, hosts events which often feature a menu created from local foods, and processes seasonal produce for the off-season.

Our goal at Suncrest Gardens is to enrich community with food for the body and soul. We do that by providing naturally grown produce and pasture-raised meats to our local community, but also take the raw ingredients to the next level in our kitchen. We nourish the soul by hosting live music on the farm and community oriented dining experiences.

Interns will tend to animals, work in the greenhouse, hoophouse, and fields; plant, cultivate, and harvest; prepare and work pizza nights; process seasonal produce; and learn the ins and outs of running a small family farm.

The day often begins tending the animals, then working in the fields to help raise produce. Some days focus on pizza night preparations followed by a long evening creating pizzas and assisting customers; other days focus on field work, weeding, planting and processing the abundance of seasonal produce. During the season, the hours are busy and tiring. We work in the fields in all types of weather. Individuals must be motivated to learn through work, be inquisitive, do independent research and study, have a great attitude, be reliable and have great communication skills.

I am looking for a motivated person with knowledge of basic farming and gardening, organic growing practices, culinary interest or experience working in a restaurant, and a desire to learn by working.

Internship Details

Commitment—Suncrest Gardens Farm offers seasonal internships and hires a year round assistant farm manager. Preference will be given to applicants who can make a commitment for the entire season, the summer season, or those who can arrive in Cochrane, WI in late May.

Interviews—If you are planning on applying for an internship position, please let us know if you have plans to, or would be willing to, travel to Cochrane, Wisconsin, so we can meet in person. Otherwise, we will conduct interviews by phone.

Housing & Food—Interns may choose to live on the farm where a room, shared bathroom and laundry facilities, a common living space, and cooking facilities are available. WiFi is available and the farm phone may be used at cost as cell phones are not reliable here. If you choose to live at the farm, housing and food allowances are deducted from your pay. We cannot house families or pets of the intern.

Transportation—You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the farm. Someone may be able to pick up people at the bus or train station in Winona, MN, if necessary. A valid driver’s license is required.

Compensation—Interns will receive $7.50 per hour (compensation is subject to taxes) (usually 5 days a week; 40-50 hours a week; work days and times will vary depending on the season). If you choose to live at the farm, a food and lodging allowance is deducted from your pay ($145 per week).

Opportunities—Day trips and education opportunities at other farms and dairies are available per your own transportation. Our farm library is also available for you to borrow books.

Smoking—Smoking is not permitted on farm grounds.

Application Process

To apply for an internship position, please send an email with a letter of intent including your resume, why you’d like to be a part of the Suncrest Garden’s team, your dates of availability, and applicable work history. Once we receive your application materials, we will notify you via email. If you do not hear from us within a week of sending your application materials, we may not have received them—please contact us.

We will contact applicants to schedule phone or on-site interviews until the positions have been filled.

*The application deadline is March 1, or until positions are filled.*

If this date has passed and you are still interested in seeking an internship at Suncrest Gardens, email Heather to discuss alternate possibilities or to confirm all positions have been filled.

The Lifestyle of the Farm

Farm work is hard work but we have a great deal of fun and accomplish many things. I hate to waste things and we try to utilize the products of the farm to its fullest before sending them to the chickens or compost piles. The farm provides us with plenty of fresh healthy food and you’ll learn to enjoy the flavors of the season.

The summer season can be busy and intense. I value honest communication and encourage everyone to keep lines of communication open and forthright. The process of living and working together will challenge you at times, but more often than not, you will appreciate the community of people around you and will benefit greatly from the process.